Watney rises to sixth after setting record, tying another

Nick Watney had the best round hardly anyone saw Sunday on the final day of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.

Watney, 29, of Las Vegas via Sacramento and the 2009 champion at Torrey Pines, teed off on the 10th hole at 1-under par, tied for 56th. But he went on a tear, making birdies on the first five holes and eight of the first nine to shoot 28 on his front nine. It was the best back-nine score on the South Course since records were first recorded in 1983.

Watney finished in front of a handful of fans, most of them family and friends, with a 9-under-par 63, tying the post-renovation South course record set by Greg Chalmers in 2002. Tiger Woods owns the old South record with a 62 in 1999.

“When I started I just wanted to play a good round and move up because on Saturday I shot even and still moved up a few spots,” said Watney, who certainly did that, climbing 50 spots to tie for sixth and earn $194,300. Improving from 1-under to 10-under earned him at least an additional $176,000. “I was just hoping to get into the top-25. I never expected this, but I’m very happy.”h

Watney’s longest putt during his five-hole birdie streak was 17 feet on the long par-4 12t.

His only blemish was a bogey on the par-3 third hole, his 12th, where he missed a 3 h1/2-foot putt for par. But a 22-footer for eagle on the par-5 sixth hole (his 15th), got him to 10-under. He missed back-to-back 19-footers on the next two holes, with the putt on the par-4 seventh skimming across the front of the cup. He saved par on the reachable par-5 ninth (his 18th) after missing badly to the left of the green and hitting the cart path with his second shot. He flew the green with his pitch, but saved par.

“I have to be honest, I started thinking about it a little bit when I made the turn,” Watney said. “I kind of got out of rhythm there for a few holes, but eagled No. 6 and had some good birdie looks coming in. I would have liked to hit a better 5-wood into my last hole, but overall, I was pleased.”

In four rounds at Torrey Pines, Watney has a win, a sixth and two ninth-place finishes. Watney received a fine hand from his friends and family who stuck out the four days with him.

“I love this place, and it’s nice to play good in front of friends and family,” he said. “I didn’t do much the first three days (70-73-72). It’s great to tie the record, and I love it around here, but I was so disappointed with my first three days.”